Cannot seem to pass skilled portion of BLS

AjayNurseBae · Dec 11, 2017

If your chest compressions aren't deep enough try using the heel of your hand with the weight coming from your shoulders. Hope it helps..

Editorial Team / Moderator · Dec 11, 2017

I appreciate all the advice!! I keep failing because they say my chest compressions aren't deep enough. I'll ask about using a stool because I do have to be on my toes. Once again, I really appreciate the advice!!!

From someone who is 4'11", I feel your pain! Even with the stool at the bedside I am often on my tippy tippy toes. In your next BLS class (with a new/different instructor, please!!), ask to put the manikin on the floor as long as you don't have a problem with your knees. So much easier to do compressions on the floor.

I am quite befuddled that your instructor has had you in class three times and has not made an effort to help. Let's be clear: you didn't fail, your instructor failed. Wow. I have taught BLS in the past (current ACLS and PALS instructor) and that is just crazy! Everyone can do compressions once they learn the trick of it - getting your shoulders square over the patient and keeping arms straight/locked while bending from the hips.

Good luck!! You can do this.

LouBean · Dec 11, 2017

ask to put the manikin on the floor as long as you don't have a problem with your knees. So much easier to do compressions on the floor.

I second this! Put the damn body on the floor. I'm 5'1 on a good day, and even with a stool I have some difficulty.

sisterofnightingale · Dec 12, 2017

When you're doing your compressions, do them harder than you think you should. That was the advice my BLS instructor gave me. Plus, on the mannequins it is harder than in real life. We had ones that showed flashing lights (red, yellow, or green) on the mannequins that let us know if we were doing compressions deeply enough. Like, don't be shy about really pushing hard. My hands were sore by the end of the class, and for the next two days after, but I passed with my compressions done in 9 seconds (1 second under the max-acceptable limit). You can do it!

KrCmommy522, BSN, RN · Dec 16, 2017

I agree with everyone else who has said it....please, please, please, when you retake the course, take it with a different instructor!! Not once have I taken a course that someone failed in. I had a few courses where other students were worried they were going to fail because the instructor said they weren't getting the compressions right or something else, but the instructor (AS A GOOD INSTRUCTOR SHOULD) said not to worry, you'll get it before you are done with this class! And the instructor worked one-on-one with that person until he/she got it.

I agree with Pixie.RN - YOU didn't fail, the INSTRUCTOR failed you!!! There is no excuse for you to have taken it 3x!! Not even 2x!! The instructor should have helped you with the compressions until you were getting them at the right depth!

Ugh!! I'm just so sorry you have to even stress about this!! Just take a deep breath and don't stress! Instead of stressing, spend your time finding a different instructor and take that class and enjoy passing!! Because you will!! Maybe ask some other students in your program (if you know any) what class they took and if they felt the instructor was good. Jeesh! I just can't get over that you've had to take this 3x already and have to do it yet again! Again, I am sorry! Keep your head up!! You will get it!!

Orion81RN · Dec 16, 2017

I appreciate all the advice!! I keep failing because they say my chest compressions aren't deep enough. I'll ask about using a stool because I do have to be on my toes. Once again, I really appreciate the advice!!!

That's pretty ridiculous of your instructor not to accomodate you or better instruct you. In real life code situations, you get that body as low to the ground as possible. And if thats not possible, you climb UP and on top of them. If you are on your toes, I'm assuming the dummies are on tables. Which is stupid. Why would they not let you put it on the floor?

I would get certified elsewhere. And when you do, you use the weight of your whole upper torso, not just muscles in your arms. Watch some videos of this, specifically paying attention to body mechanics and use of upper torso. Your instructor is at fault here for not doing their job. Go elsewhere, and good luck!

akulahawkRN, ADN, RN, EMT-P · Dec 16, 2017

When you're relatively short and light, you need to really get over the patient, more than you might think you should. When you're properly in position, your head will be almost completely across the patient and you'll be almost looking down between the chest and arm on the side opposite you. It really feels odd to do this at first. This is why: you really want your shoulders DIRECTLY over your hands and you should have a very straight line that is perpendicular to the floor, from shoulder, to elbow, to hands through the patient to the floor. Lock out your elbows so your stronger back muscles pull you up and your stronger abs and gravity will help you push the chest down. Push like it's twice as hard as you think you should. Let your core do all the work. Your arms shouldn't be worn out/sore after doing CPR because all you need to do is lock them into position. If you have to, get a step stool or very short step ladder to get yourself into proper position. I'm 5' 7" and even I choose to use a step stool to get myself into proper position as this allows me to go several rounds before I even begin to tire.

Once you're in position correctly, it's easy to deliver all compressions at a rate where you can do 30 compressions and give two breaths within 30 seconds.

Irish_Mist, BSN, RN · Dec 17, 2017

It would be foolish to say nursing is not for you based on this situation! Having said that, your instructor is an idiot. It sounds like he/she takes himself/herself way too seriously. Retake the BLS class but with a different instructor. One who will work with you!

Ambersmom, BSN, RN · Dec 17, 2017

where are you taking this certification? I would suggest going to another class if possible, your size should have nothing to do with it. Ask that the mannequin be placed on the floor, be on your knees with your elbows locked and press hard!!! If need be rock back on your knees and use that force to help you get the required depth. But honestly if you've gone to the same place 3x, I would look for a different class with a different instructor. Good luck!

turtlesRcool · Dec 17, 2017

I appreciate all the advice!! I keep failing because they say my chest compressions aren't deep enough. I'll ask about using a stool because I do have to be on my toes. Once again, I really appreciate the advice!!!

I concur with the majority who say the issue is your instructor.

If you're on your toes, you are NOT in a good position to do compressions. Any competent instructor would spot that in the first 30 seconds, stop you, and get you positioned properly.

The point of teaching CPR is to actually TEACH it. Clearly that's not happening in your case, and it's not your fault at all.

Two possible options here: this instructor is an idiot or this instructor wants to keep "failing" students so they pay to take the class again. So whether s/he is incompetent or corrupt, the answer is the same: get a new instructor.

allnurses Guide · Dec 19, 2017

You can actually get up on the bed if you need to, put a knee up next to the manikin. As said before, push more than you think you should! I made the bed bounce (lightweight stretcher) I was doing them so hard, but I got the pt back!

Remember, in real life you are doing compressions because they just died, you aren't going to do worse to them than that.

NunNurseCat · Dec 19, 2017

If you were in class with me I'd help you out, and I'm sure most people on here would do the same!

Please be sure to rate this so-called "instructor" with a one-star review.